Teachers with OCD

[Sav13]

I am a primary school teacher and believe I have OCD. I would love to hear from other teachers who also have OCD. As teachers, we often joke about OCD being a requisite for the job, as the job involves routines and being very organised etc. I am currently taking anti-depressants. I have been teaching for 26 years, but in the last 5 years the job has become increasingly stressful due to the increased demands since the new Australian Curriculum came in. Before then I loved my job but now I am anxious and stressed most of the time. To cope, I have become increasingly obsessive about a number of things. I feel like this is my way to control things, as my job is now out of my control. So I was just wanting to hear experiences from other teachers and any tips which could help.

[Sav13]

Geoff, I tried some online OCD tests and no surprise it came up positive!

Here are some of the things I do at home -
1. Housework – cleaning schedules daily, weekly, fortnightly, monthly. Schedules are recorded and ticked when completed. Certain items must be ironed even if don’t need to be (tea towels, bed linen etc)
Wash car – once a week
Bed must be made everyday
Work clothes out ready for next day
Dust – usually daily
2. Shopping – will look for an item at multiple stores for cheapest price (even items less than $20). Will go to different supermarkets for various items, rather than doing shop at one location (check in catalogues each week). Shopping is always first thing in the morning as soon as shops open (7:00am)
3. Petrol – shopping around for cheapest price even if the price differences are minuscule (use an app)
4. Parking – park in same spot at shopping centres/work etc. Will go early to get spot.
5. Television – prefer not to watch shows live – will record and fast forward ads, just don't have patience sitting through ads.
6. Exercise – first thing in morning while fresh, as little energy later in the day.
7. Social outgoings – always planned, never spontaneous. Will be cancelled if jobs are not completed.
8. Pets – cat has food schedule for each day
9. Money – collecting silver coins, counting and bundling then taking to bank
10. Self-harm 
11. Appliances – checking things are turned off, going back home to check
12. Rewards – will reward myself if keep to schedules, usually will go shopping for special item. I can afford to buy what I want, but will not unless jobs are completed.
13. Exercise calendar – record exercise to keep motivated and give reward

No wonder I am lethargic all the time!

[geoff]

hi Sav, I'm pleased that the test proved you have OCD that's nothing to ever be ashamed of. There are so many people who do particular habits not realising that it is OCD but would be classified as minor, whereas yours is particularly strong, I think over the years I've had it (58 years) they become less intensive or perhaps it's just a normal routine, but as I've said before some of these events will change, that's what happened to me, it's just part of what happens such as you move house to a new location, same as school, but same will remain with you.
I could never walk on the cracks in the concrete as a kid, now it doesn't bother me, it's not planned it just happens.
Maybe you could tape your lessons and not have the principle there watching you, just a thought, but I am so pleased to have a conversation with someone who has OCD, most times the discussion only lasts one or two comments and then they disappear, which is sad because I usually want to keep talking with them, but you have been very detailed and that takes bravery, but there is nothing wrong with having this illness.
We do have another one or two young members who also suffer from this illness, I hope they will see this post, but perhaps I can notify them.
I do take AD's, I may have mentioned this already but they don't stop me, maybe they might help, that I don't know because I don't want to stop taking them simply because I know I will fall into a black hole.
I have also done an online OCD course, so did it work, well for a bit but as soon as it stopped I didn't keep up with exercises, so back I went.
Good talking with you Sav. Geoff.

[Sav13]

Hi Geoff, I have gained some useful insights since being on this forum. It has been very helpful that other people with OCD have confirmed that I have it. I don't see it as stigma, but now I know it is not in my imagination. So I will take this info to my psychologist and she can provide written confirmation to my school so that they will be forced to help me. I wasn't aware there are online OCD courses, it may be the way to go as I can see sessions with a psychologist are going to cost a packet as my case is so severe, but then again what it the price for good health? I don't know if I am going to have the energy to commit to working on my OCD. I have been taking iron tablets which have had no effect, now I am taking B12 injections. I asked my doctor maybe I have chronic fatigue, but she said we will wait to see if things improve with the B12. Or maybe it is totally my OCD which wears me out? I have had 3 sessions with a psychologist, but I am thinking she is not a very good one. I feel like all we do is talk, but I have not felt any different or better. I guess just like in any profession there are the good and the not so good. She told me so talk to my doctor about the OCD, but my doctor said talk to your psychologist. I have no idea, as until recently I have been a healthy person and don't really know the ins and out of the medical system. My psyc has been very hard to get a hold of. It took me 2 weeks to arrange the next appointment. I was calling her, leaving messages etc, she would call back when I'm at school and teaching, and we kept playing tag-team for a few weeks. She has a receptionist, I couldn't even get a hold of her. Some lady picked up the phone and said she had just ducked out, but this lady was not able to take bookings. Just as well I wasn't one of her patients in crisis. So I'm thinking she doesn't run a very good practice. So do you think I should try someone else?

[geoff]

hi Sav, I think you need to get that letter from your psychologist explaining that you have OCD first of all, then take it back to your principle or get her to send it to her, but I would be sure she gets it, so I think you should take it yourself, just to be safe and sure, but take a photocopy of it and keep this to yourself.
Sav, it's so hard to work on your OCD because they are demanding and unless you have a program to help you then you'll end up back at square one.
Some psychologist don't do CBT or OCD and perhaps this is how your psych feels, just get the letter, that's gold for you, and if she doesn't seem to be helping you, then stop, you're only wasting your sessions.
I take B12 but it doesn't seem to be doing anything, so with all your OCD it's going to make you tired, I remember as a kid when I used to have to swallow 100 times and if I was interrupted I had to start again, boy that was exhausting, so I substituted it or replaced it by doing something else, which I can't remember what it was.
Click onto 'Get Support' and scroll down to where you see 'Find a professional' you could ring around and ask them if the psych deals with OCD, e straight to the point and you are on the phone so they don't know who you are unless you decide to go there, but by the time this happens they would have forgotten about it.
Try out any of the online courses, I've done one and yes it did help but I wasn't conscious enough to keep doing what they taught me after it finished, as we both know it's not easy.
Please let me know, it's great talking with you, but please get that letter. Geoff.

[Sav13]

At the moment I am getting free psych sessions through the education department, but then will have to start paying. What is the rough cost of a session? I can see I will needs lots of sessions which might break the bank! Do you know if chronic fatigue is somehow entangled with anxiety/OCD, so could I have CF as well?

[geoff]

hi Sav, the cost per session differs, some are charged on a sliding scale which means it depends on your income.
Have you had a chance to look at online courses, the one I did was for free and lasted a couple of weeks from memory and I could have kept going on or could still be in touch with those who organised it if I wanted to, which is what I should have done.
Chronic fatigue can quite easily happen when you're suffering from OCD and with the extent you are trying to cope with, then it's very possible, just another problem added on to what else you're struggling with, I'm really sorry, and please get back to me. Geoff.